Florida State Outlasts Michigan in Wild Orange Bowl Finish

No. 11 Florida State came from behind to score with 36 seconds left and recorded a late interception to seal a wild 33-32 Orange Bowl Victory over No. 6 Michigan.

For the first 30 minutes, it looked like Florida State would run away with this one as the Seminoles took a 20-6 lead into halftime after holding the Wolverines to just 93 total yards. But Michigan—playing without Heisman finalist Jabrill Peppers (hamstring injury suffered in practice) and tight end Jake Butt (knee injury in the second quarter)—came out of the locker room and went on a 24-7 run to take a 30-27 lead with just 1:57 to play. But the craziness was just getting started.

Florida State got a 66-yard kickoff return and then drove 34 yards in four plays to score the go-ahead touchdown on a 12-yard pass from Deondre Francois to Nyqwan Murray with just 36 seconds left. But Michigan blocked the ensuing extra point and returned it for a two-point conversion, leaving Florida State with a one-point lead.

The Seminoles defense then forced an interception four plays later to seal the victory. But even that wasn’t without controversy as replay showed FSU defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker might have jumped offside and hurried the throw from Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight.

Florida State running back Dalvin Cook racked up 207 yards and a touchdown in what was likely his final collegiate game. Receiver Nyqwan Murray only had two catches, in the win but made the most of them with 104 yards and two touchdowns.